David Bertch and I have been friends for over 50 years. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas and we have a phone call once a month to sharpen one another as disciples and leaders. (Proverb 27:17)

In one of our recent calls, he quoted Francis Schaeffer as saying that the greatest sin of Christians in the west is not taking possession of their possessions. I have not stopped thinking and praying about this since he shared it with me.

Is this statement true? If it’s true, what should I do about it? In what way am I not taking possession of my possessions? What is my role in helping others, especially leaders, to take possession of their possessions?

I am inclined to think that what Schaeffer meant was that we Christians in the west do not consistently appropriate all that we have in Jesus and do not make the best use of what we have because we have Him, and He has us!

On May 21st this year I read the following: “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.” Joshua 1:6 (ESV).

As I have been meditating on this verse, the idea of taking possession of possessions (and helping others do the same) popped into my head and I saw a correlation. God has land he wants to give me/us--not literal land, but things which I’ve inherited and have a right to because of who I am in Christ and who he is in me.

I am motivated to be used of the Lord to help leaders lay claim to all that is theirs in Jesus-all of it; all of their gifting, capacity and vision, all of the promises of God!

I wrote down Joshua 1:6 and made it my memory verse for June. I don’t want to miss out on anything the Lord Jesus has for me. I don’t want to be crawling around under the table looking for crumbs when on the top of the table is a banquet feast laid out for me, and for you as well.

My friend David also reminded me that there are over fifty differeent things I’ve inherited as a reult of Jesus drewing me to himself. I’ve heard about this list before, but haven’t thought much about it for quite some time.

Lord Jesus, allow me, by your grace, to take full possession of everything which I possess because of your death, resurrection and the indwelling Holy Spirit. As I seek to influence leaders, use me to stretch them to take possession of all that you have for them--both in life and in ministry--as we are all led by you, empowered by you and seek to honor you! In Jesus’ name, Amen!